Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Oakland Neighborhood of Oakland, CA from $700 (179 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Oakland area of Oakland.

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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515 E 22nd St, Unit #3
$1,790
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,790
Total Monthly Price
$1,790
Studio Apartment Available Now

515 E 22nd St, Unit #3

515 E 22nd StOakland, CA 94606
Affordability

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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property at 626 8th St

$1,895

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent

Available Now

626 8th St, Unit #3

626 8th St
OaklandCA94607
property at 150 Pearl St

$1,900

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,900
Total Monthly Price
$1,900

Studio, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

150 Pearl St

OaklandCA94611
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535 30th St, Unit #2
$1,925
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,925
Total Monthly Price
$1,925
1 Bedroom Apartment Available Now

535 30th St, Unit #2

535 30th StOakland, CA 94609
Affordability
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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

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661 Fairmount Ave, Unit 661
$2,000
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,000
Total Monthly Price
$2,000
Studio Apartment Available Aug 15

661 Fairmount Ave, Unit 661

661 Fairmount AveOakland, CA 94611
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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

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Downtown Oakland, Oakland, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Oakland Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Oakland area of San Francisco, CA is a Studio unit found at Claridge Hotel LP. priced from $895. Northgate Terrace has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,050. Here are the most affordable Downtown Oakland apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Claridge Hotel LP.SROStudio,$895
Northgate TerraceStudioStudio,1BA$1,050
ArtHaus NorthgateFloor Plan A Studio 1BAStudio,1BA$1,228
La PeraltaSRO with BathStudio,1BA$1,245
The Alician Apartments0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,350
Nook on ValdezFLOOR PLAN EStudio,1BA$1,350
ArtHaus 820Floor Plan A Studio 1BAStudio,1BA$1,354
Raymond Investments LLC.StudioStudio,1BA$1,395
ArtHaus MandelaFloor Plan C Studio 1BAStudio,1BA$1,398

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Oakland, CA

As of June 02, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Oakland area is the $2.42 price per square foot 874 36th St Model at 874 36th St, Unit C in the in the West Oakland neighborhood starting from $3,600. The second greatest value Downtown Oakland apartment is the Loft C Model at 5th Street Lofts starting at $2,865 with a $2.12 price per square foot in the West Oakland neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Oakland apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
874 36th St, Unit C874 36th St3BR,2BA$2.42
5th Street LoftsLoft CStudio ,1BA$2.12
866 Pine St, Unit B866 Pine St4BR,1.5BA$2.56
LESTER COURT, LLC3BR/1.0BA3BR,1BA$2.41
2600 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Unit 26042600 Martin Luther King Jr Way3BR,1.5BA$2.08
635 El Dorado Ave1032BR,1BA$2.47
Fountainbleau Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$2.41
Alice Court1 Bedroom/ 1 Bath1BR,1BA$2.33
The Chase Apartment Homes1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$2.35
850 6th Ave, Unit B850 6th Ave1BR,1BA$2.23

Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

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The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Downtown Oakland, Oakland, CA

Ranked #2

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Downtown Oakland, Oakland, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you our detailed rental search system called 'Lifestyle ratings', composed of neighborhoods, cities and towns, and rental properties across California, including Oakland. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including searching for the best amenities, and easy access to the parks, pet-friendly features, family-friendly amenities, proximity to transit, and how walkable or bikeable each community and area is. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Oakland Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Oakland?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Oakland is under $1,398.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Oakland?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Oakland is Oak Village which is listed at $1,595, while the average apartment in Downtown Oakland costs $3,898.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown Oakland?

Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 37 regular apartments in Downtown Oakland that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Downtown Oakland?

Cheap apartments in Downtown Oakland have an average cost of $457 which is $3,441 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown Oakland.

Expert Rental Resources

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

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Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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Neighborhood and Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent

Written by: Robin Stewart

Apartment-hunting can be a gargantuan task. Renters have a wish list of items—some luxuries, some necessities—but finding what you seek in the right place is perhaps the most important part of the journey.

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Written by: Lauren Harrington

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Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts

Written by: Lauren Harrington

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This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.